Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Atsushi Okawa, Tomoo Shiba, Masaya Hayashi, Yuki Onoue, Masaki Murota, Dan Sato, Junko Inagaki, Takashi Tamura, Shigeharu Harada, Kenji Inagaki
Summary: The crystal structures of L-Methionine decarboxylase revealed key residues determining substrate specificity and confirmed the role of crucial residues in enzyme reaction intermediates. The study provides important insights into the catalytic mechanism of MetDC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Stach, Abdulkarim Karim, Przemyslaw Golik, Radoslaw Kitel, Katarzyna Pustelny, Natalia Gruba, Katarzyna Groborz, Urszula Jankowska, Sylwia Kedracka-Krok, Benedykt Wladyka, Marcin Drag, Adam Lesner, Grzegorz Dubin
Summary: By studying the substrate specificity and structure of SplF, it was found that the enzyme has a strict preference for long aliphatic sidechains at the P1 subsite and significant selectivity for aromatic residues at P3, with its crystal structure defining the structural basis of this substrate specificity. Comparisons with other Spl proteases suggest that the spl operon encodes a unique extracellular proteolytic system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Cea-Rama, Cristina Coscolin, Panagiotis Katsonis, Rafael Bargiela, Peter N. Golyshin, Olivier Lichtarge, Manuel Ferrer, Julia Sanz-Aparicio
Summary: This study investigated the mutation of a serine ester hydrolase EH3 to explore the switching of substrate ambiguity and chiral specificity. The results showed that specific amino acid substitutions at key positions can lead to both substrate-ambiguous and chiral-specific enzyme properties, supporting the idea that enzymes can evolve sequence positions to control substrate scope and stereospecificity.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bryce P. Johnson, Vikas Kumar, Erin M. Scull, Leonard M. Thomas, Christina R. Bourne, Shanteri Singh
Summary: Isopentenyl phosphate kinases (IPKs) catalyze the conversion of isopentenyl monophosphate (IP) to isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) in archaea and plant cytoplasm, and have potential as biocatalysts in synthetic pathways like the prenol pathways. Studies involving crystal structures of IPK variants from Candidatus methanomethylophilus alvus (CMA) reveal substrate promiscuity towards non-natural substrates and shed light on the role of active-site residues in catalysis. Active-site engineering and mutation studies further confirm the importance of conserved motifs in catalysis, providing insights for the development of IPKs as useful biocatalysts.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoli Yang, Zhanyu Ding, Lisi Peng, Qiuyue Song, Deyu Zhang, Fang Cui, Chuanchao Xia, Keliang Li, Hua Yin, Shiyu Li, Zhaoshen Li, Haojie Huang
Summary: This study provides structural insights into the rearrangements of EP surface-loops and heavy chain dynamics in the EP catalytic cycle, advancing our understanding of EP-associated pancreatitis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xin Gao, Mian Wu, Wei Zhang, Chao Li, Rey-Ting Guo, Yujie Dai, Weidong Liu, Shuhong Mao, Fuping Lu, Hui-Min Qin
Summary: Salicylic acid decarboxylase from Trichosporon moniliiforme (TmSdc) shows potential for the production of benzoic acid derivatives under environmentally friendly reaction conditions. The crystal structures of TmSdc and its substrate recognition mode were elucidated in this study, providing insights for improving the enzyme's activity.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takfarinas Kentache, Leopold Thabault, Gladys Deumer, Vincent Haufroid, Raphael Frederick, Carole L. Linster, Alessio Peracchi, Maria Veiga-da-Cunha, Guido T. Bommer, Emile Van Schaftingen
Summary: N-acetylneuraminate (Neu5Ac) is a sugar commonly found in vertebrates and some bacteria, serving as an energy source for certain prokaryotes like Escherichia coli. The aldolase NanA in E. coli and its human homolog NPL were found to preferentially metabolize the open form of Neu5Ac. Additionally, the Neu5Ac anomerase NanM was able to stimulate the utilization of both beta and alpha-anomers by NanA in vitro.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuda Chen, Axel Loredo, Anna Chung, Mengxi Zhang, Rui Liu, Han Xiao
Summary: The creation of cells that can use noncanonical amino acids as protein building blocks holds great promise for novel medicines and biological studies. This study reports the development of a bacterium that can utilize 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine as an additional amino acid building block, with high protein production yields. The unique properties of this noncanonical amino acid enable site-specific protein functionalization.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yang Li, Zhen Rong, Zhengyang Li, Henglin Cui, Jixi Li, Xue-Wei Xu
Summary: In this study, a marine microbial carboxylesterase named E93 was found to hydrolyze both CPT11 and NPC substrates. Structural analysis revealed the interaction patterns between the enzyme and the substrates, and three core regions were identified to be involved in substrate specificity. These findings contribute to the understanding of substrate specificity and potential application of microbial Family VII carboxylesterases.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hajar Estiri, Shapla Bhattacharya, Jhon Alexander Rodriguez Buitrago, Rossella Castagna, Linda Legzdina, Giorgia Casucci, Andrea Ricci, Emilio Parisini, Alfonso Gautieri
Summary: In this study, we used in silico protein engineering to enhance the thermal stability and catalytic activity of fructosyl peptide oxidases, which are key enzymatic components in diabetes monitoring devices. This improvement eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming proteolytic treatment of the target protein, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hieu Nguyen, Arminja N. Kettenbach
Summary: Dynamic protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play critical roles in cellular signaling and biological functions. Dysregulation of these processes has been linked to various human diseases. This review focuses on the mechanisms controlling the specific dephosphorylation of proteins. The majority of serine/threonine dephosphorylation is catalyzed by highly conserved phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) catalytic subunits, which form holoenzymes with regulatory and scaffolding subunits. PPP holoenzymes recognize phosphorylation site consensus motifs and interact with short linear motifs (SLiMs) or structural elements distal to the phosphorylation site. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of PPP site-specific dephosphorylation preference and substrate recruitment are discussed, with emphasis on their roles in regulating cell division.
TRENDS IN BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bin Li, Jue Liang, Colin C. Hanfrey, Margaret A. Phillips, Anthony J. Michael
Summary: Polyamines, fundamental molecules of life, have a deep evolutionary history reflected in extensive biosynthetic diversification. Bacteria have two homologous forms of AAT-fold decarboxylase, with extended forms present in Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The discovery of ancestral forms ODC, LDC, and bifunctional O/LDC extends the phylogenetic diversity of functionally characterized ancestral ADC, ODC, and LDC.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Ostertag, Liujuan Zheng, Karina Broger, Thilo Stehle, Shu-Ming Li, Georg Zocher
Summary: Prenylation plays a crucial role in primary and secondary metabolism, contributing to chemical diversity in natural systems. Recent structural studies on prenyltransferases shed light on their catalytic mechanisms and key residues, but the control of regioselectivity and chemoselectivity remains a challenge. Site-directed mutagenesis has been successfully utilized to modify prenyl donor specificity and switch the regioselectivity of prenyltransferases, showing potential for production of novel prenylated compounds.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Baohua Chen, Zheng Liu, Kay Perry, Rongsheng Jin
Summary: The study reveals the mechanism of how toxin A from Clostridioides difficile causes diarrhea by glucosylating and inactivating Rho and Ras family small GTPases, providing insights into substrate recognition.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mai Nagase, Sachiko Nakano, Yasutomo Segawa
Summary: Penta- and hexa(3,4-thienylene)s were synthesized as potential precursors for thiophene-containing polyarenes, and their structures were determined via X-ray crystallography. The interconversion of thiophene rings was found to be fast in penta(3,4-thienylene) and slow in hexa(3,4-thienylene), indicating different activation energies for enantiomerization. Size-dependent bathochromic shifts were observed in the UV-vis absorption spectra.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Yu Tang, Huaqing Chen, Zhinan Lin, Lei Zhang, Archana Upadhyay, Chenghong Liao, David J. Merkler, Qian Han
Summary: This study provides insight into the molecular evolution of the aaNAT family in mosquitoes. By analyzing genomes of 33 species, it was found that aaNAT orthologs are present in various organisms but absent in certain species. Multiple aaNATs were detected in the Culicinae subfamily of mosquitoes, and their gene expansion occurred more than 190 million years ago through tandem duplication events. Selection analysis revealed that mosquito aaNATs evolved under strong positive pressures, leading to functional diversity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huaqing Chen, Biswajit Bhowmick, Yu Tang, Jesus Lozano-Fernandez, Qian Han
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of the mosquito enzyme HKT and its relationship with AGT in mosquitoes. The study identifies amino acid sites responsible for biochemical and functional evolution of HKT and builds a homology model to understand ligand-binding mechanism. The findings provide insights into the detoxification function of HKT and its potential applications in mosquito control.
Article
Agronomy
Qiuhui Wang, Haocheng Wang, Yingxin Zhang, Jing Chen, Archana Upadhyay, Biswajit Bhowmick, Jiayu Hang, Shaoying Wu, Chenghong Liao, Qian Han
Summary: The study reveals that the iGABA receptor subunit Ae-RDL in Aedes aegypti is targeted by ivermectin and fluralaner. By interfering with Ae-RDL, these compounds significantly reduce the mortality of Aedes aegypti, highlighting their insecticidal mechanisms.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cihan Yang, Fei Wang, Doudou Huang, Haixia Ma, Lu Zhao, Guilin Zhang, Hailong Li, Qian Han, Dennis Bente, Ferdinand Villanueva Salazar, Zhiming Yuan, Han Xiai
Summary: The global impact of mosquito-borne diseases has increased in recent decades. This study found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have the potential to spread Ebinur Lake virus (EBIV) through biting, with a transmission rate of up to 11.8%. The study also revealed a complex interplay between EBIV and the mosquito's immune system, which could affect its vector competence.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Miaozhen Li, Lei Zhang, Yuchen Wu, Yixun Li, Xin Chen, Jing Chen, Qiuhui Wang, Chenghong Liao, Qian Han
Summary: This study investigated the role of the 5-HT7A receptor in the development and motor function of Aedes aegypti using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The mutant mosquitoes showed abnormal growth and development, decreased motor activity, and slower response to external stimuli. The mutants also had lower numbers and hatching rates. The 5-HT7A receptor plays an important role in the metamorphosis, development, and motor function of Aedes aegypti.
Article
Biology
Penghui Suo, Kaixuan Wang, Hongxiao Yu, Xiuhao Fu, Liping An, Biswajit Bhowmick, Jiachao Zhang, Qian Han
Summary: This study analyzed the seasonal variation of midgut bacterial diversity of Culex quinquefasciatus in southern China. The results indicated that the Bacteroidetes communities were more abundant in autumn and winter, potentially playing a role in the nutritional supply of adult mosquitoes when temperatures drop. The study provides valuable insights for disease control strategies targeting Cx. quinquefasciatus.
Article
Physiology
Liping An, Biswajit Bhowmick, Dejuan Liang, Penghui Suo, Chenghong Liao, Jianguo Zhao, Qian Han
Summary: This study investigated the impact of starvation stress on the microbiome of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and found that starvation stress significantly altered the microbial composition. The dominant symbiotic bacteria, Coxiella spp., decreased with prolonged starvation stress. Additionally, the study demonstrated that ticks can tolerate starvation for up to 6 months. Furthermore, the removal of most symbiotic bacteria had irreversible effects on the blood-sucking rate, weight, fecundity, and feeding period of the ticks.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Cihan Yang, Chenghong Liao, Jianguo Zhao, Qingfeng Guan, Guoshun Wang, Qian Han
Summary: This study reveals the synergistic impact of alcohol and KYNA on global gene expression, specifically on gene sets related to tryptophan metabolism and cell signaling. While KYNA promotes gene expression and alcohol inhibits it, the co-intake of alcohol and KYNA leads to a stronger inhibition of overall gene expression. Tryptophan metabolism is skewed towards the kynurenine pathway and the GnRH signaling pathway is greatly enhanced. This research provides critical data to better understand the combined effects of alcohol and KYNA on human health.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianyong Li, David J. Merkler, Qian Han
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingfeng Guan, Hui Yang, Chenghong Liao, Jianguo Zhao, Jinhua Wang, Youming Liu, Qian Han, Haiwen Zhang
Summary: In this study, the outer membrane protein YaeT in RA was analyzed, and it was found to be conservative and have sufficient B-cell binding epitopes. Immunization with YaeT protein led to the production of high-affinity antibodies in duck serum, which could activate complement and promote the attack of phagocytes against RA. After RA challenge, the survival rate of YaeT protein-immunized ducks reached 80%.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dejuan Liang, Huaqing Chen, Liping An, Yao Li, Peizhen Zhao, Archana Upadhyay, Bill S. Hansson, Jianguo Zhao, Qian Han
Summary: Ticks are important vectors of pathogens, and understanding their chemoreception mechanisms can help in tick management. Two NPC2 genes were cloned and functionally characterized in Rhipicephalus linnaei, a species of brown dog tick. These genes were expressed in all developmental stages, with the highest expression in adult males. Ligand binding analysis showed that R.linNPC2b had a wide spectrum of ligand binding, while R.linNPC2a had a more narrow range. Molecular docking suggested that specific amino acid residues in these proteins may play a key role in ligand recognition. These findings contribute to our understanding of the olfactory mechanisms in R. linnaei and provide new directions for tick management.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Jing Chen, Yu-Chen Wu, Jiu-Kai Chen, Xiao-Jing Zhu, David Merkler, Cheng-Hong Liao, Qian Han
Summary: In this study, two novel elongase genes were identified in Aedes aegypti, and their functions were investigated using RNAi methods. AeELO2 was found to be involved in larval molting and growth, and it regulated the flexibility and elasticity of adult mosquito cuticles. AeELO9 affected the cold tolerance, osmotic balance, and egg development in Aedes aegypti.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yang Lin, Sa Zhou, Archana Upadhyay, Jianguo Zhao, Chenghong Liao, Qingfeng Guan, Jinhua Wang, Qian Han
Summary: This study aimed to understand the prevalence, distribution, and epidemiological profile of Anaplasma spp. infection in dogs in Hainan province/island. Three species of Anaplasma were detected, namely A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis, and A. platys. The overall infection rate was 9.7%, with A. phagocytophilum detected in 1.0% of dogs, A. bovis in 2.7% of dogs, and A. platys in 6.0% of dogs. This surveillance-based study will assist in designing effective control measures and management strategies to treat and control the infection in the area.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jitrawadee Intirach, Xin Lv, Qian Han, Zhi-Yue Lv, Tao Chen
Summary: This study identified tick species, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of ticks in Hainan Island through morphological identification and molecular genetic analysis. Results showed the presence of five tick species on Hainan Island, and phylogenetic analysis based on cox1 and 16S rRNA genes revealed genetic diversity and geographical distribution. The findings also provided evidence of the genetic diversity, host range, and geographical distribution of hard ticks in Hainan Island, China.
Article
Parasitology
Lu Yang, Jin-Hua Wang, Archana Upadhyay, Jian-Guo Zhao, Liang-Yuan Huang, Cheng-Hong Liao, Qian Han
Summary: The objective of this study was to understand the epidemiology of Theileria spp. in goats of Hainan Island/province and study their hematological profiles. Theileria luwenshuni was found to be the main parasite in infected goats, causing macrocytic, hypochromic anemia. This study provides valuable information for developing control strategies for Theileria spp. infections in tropical areas.